Navy's efforts to clean up groundwater
Past activities at the Shipyard contaminated surface water and groundwater at the site. The Navy is injecting natural bacteria and vegetable oil into the ground to cleanup harmful chemicals in the groundwater.
Learn more about the Navy’s efforts to clean up the groundwater.
San Francisco's drinking water
The quality of drinking water in Bayview Hunters Point is not believed to be impacted by this contamination because San Francisco gets its drinking water from Tuolumne River near Yosemite and the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir.
Water quality reports
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) tests the quality of San Francisco water to ensure that it meets or exceeds federal and state standards for health. SFPUC publishes annual Water Quality Reports that you can read here.
Report water problems
Report water problems
-
If your home drinking water has a strange odor or color or if you see someone dumping into storm drains or other waters, you can:
- Report the issue to San Francisco Public Utilities Commission by call 3-1-1 (within SF only) or 415-701-2311
- Report the issue to San Francisco District Office of the State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Drinking Water by calling 510-620-3474.
Protecting yourself from poor water quality
Protecting yourself from poor water quality
Follow the recommendations below to protect the quality of your drinking water.
- Talk to your healthcare provider about home water treatment devices
Tap water is safe to drink. Some people may prefer using a water treatment device if they are concerned about old plumbing in their home or to improve the taste of the water. If you are concerned about drinking your tap water, talk to your healthcare provider. You can learn more about home water treatment devices here.
Make sure that your water treatment device is registered for sale in California by checking here.
- Check for public notices about water quality
If there is a need to boil water or there is concern about the quality of drinking water, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission will notify the public. You can see public notices here.
- Follow flushing procedures when using water after extended non-use
Normal water usage in a building keeps water within building pipes fresh. When water is not used in a building for an extended period, water quality issues can develop. It is necessary to flush water before drinking it after not using it for an extended period. Learn more about flushing guidance from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission here.